[Game] Kings @ Lakers 10/26/2024 7:30pm Pacific 10:30pm Eastern

[SacTownKid]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1850403834524279094

Yeah, +/- is a stat that works somewhat well in a small and controlled sample, otherwise, meh. A player playing from the bench is almost always at a disadvantage especially if they are thrust in to help stop a run, or just happen to get on the floor during a run. The NBA game has always been about runs but in this new era it's gone to such an extreme. It's almost an entirely run based game now.

 

[SacTownKid]

in this case I was using it for clarity who was on the floor when the Lakers went on their big Run. While it wasn’t Hayes and Davis it was still a pretty long line-up.

Russell at 8’6 was the least lengthy player out there

Demar is only 8’6.5
Huerter is 8’5.5
Fox is 8’4

The Kings issues defensively weren't length. It was the feet. The early deflections are good, but when those stop, can you stay in front of your man? That's the question. Reaves is a lot quicker than he looks. He was just darting into traffic off the pass, breaking down and collapsing the defense, and blitzing in between the Kings on the O boards.

 

[SacTownKid]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1850420344756359602

Context is obviously that Monk being the safety valve when things are getting rough is a tough spot for him but last year it was the same. Monk with the starters was a net negative all season. When those offensive numbers come down, and they most certainly will, what does the defensive side look like? The Kings issues at G are what they are, they have some potential defensive guards, and then two that try hard, but just aren't defenders in Monk and Huerter. Once Carter comes back that might allow Brown more leeway to run legit G units and see where that goes since in theory he can help on the boards and on help D.

 

[Kingster]

The Kings issues defensively weren't length. It was the feet. The early deflections are good, but when those stop, can you stay in front of your man? That's the question. Reaves is a lot quicker than he looks. He was just darting into traffic off the pass, breaking down and collapsing the defense, and blitzing in between the Kings on the O boards.

I wonder how Keon would have done on Reaves?

 

[Kingster]

Which goes back to the Keon question. Keegan is defending his ass off, looks like a legit all defensive talent, but he can't lock down everybody. Keon would take a lot of pressure off him

It's still not enough, but it's better than nothing.

 

[Jones2006]

Maybe don’t cape extra hard for Len after a game where he was sorta terrible?

That's precisely the point. Just because a player has a bad game doesn't mean his minutes should be reduced in the 2nd game of the year ... Plus they did that in the 1st game too when he played fine.

You're making my point that to get in a groove, rotational players need to have continuity. Plugging & pulling guys who are a part of your set rotation from game to game based off slight variance in performance is not what a coach should do in the 1st couple weeks of the season. In my opinion.

If a player is still playing poorly after a week or 2, make adjustments then. But let the guys shake off rust, build chemistry, get in a groove 1st. Season just started.

 

[NewArena]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1850565870122312140

 

[The_Jamal]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1850420344756359602

Makes sense. Our top 6 is crushing and we're getting decimated when we have to go to Lyles/Len lineups. I do think Keon should just be in that grouping, but hey

 

[SacTownKid]

Makes sense. Our top 6 is crushing and we're getting decimated when we have to go to Lyles/Len lineups. I do think Keon should just be in that grouping, but hey

It's obviously waaay too early to assess the 5 man stats but oddly enough the 3rd most used in the 2 games is Len, Lyles, Fox, Monk, and Murray and they have a better net rating than either of those 2 other ones. Now, part of the reason for that is probably because at the first sign of trouble they're getting yanked so they don't suffer in the net ratings because yeah, in the last game that bench unit had major issues at certain points. That and the fact that they've all played so little actual minutes things are going to skew crazy far one way or the other.

 

[NewArena]

Lyles may also just need more time. Every player is different in terms of their ability to get back into a rhythm after being away for so long. Our bench (including Monk) can and will be a lot better. I’d like to see us come out super serious tonight and dominate this Portland squad.

 

[sactowndog]

Lyles may also just need more time. Every player is different in terms of their ability to get back into a rhythm after being away for so long. Our bench (including Monk) can and will be a lot better. I’d like to see us come out super serious tonight and dominate this Portland squad.

whe should be 2-2 after the next two games. If not then it may well be a long year.

 

[ppine]

James is one of the oldest players in the league. It is logical that he is going to look good at the beginning of the season. Forty games from now he will be slower especially in the second half of games.

The Kings style is to play fast and move the ball. They started the game by standing around. That is a recipe for failure. DDR is a great player, but he is somewhat dominant like Fox and Sabonis. It will take some time for those guys to play better together. This should not surprise anyone.

When LA shoots the ball well, they are a very difficult team to match up against. We will get them next time.

 

[TaxMan]

Makes sense. Our top 6 is crushing and we're getting decimated when we have to go to Lyles/Len lineups. I do think Keon should just be in that grouping, but hey

After 2 games, I'm seeing the same thing we have seen the past two years. Brown seems to like to "feel out" rotations, especially at the start of the year. A lot of throwing things at the wall to see what combo works. McDermott for 5 min to start the fourth in game 1. No Ellis in game 2. Jordan McLaughlin for a few min in game 2. Lyles at center here and there. I understand there were injuries in preseason that limited time together, but for the most part this is a roster that's pretty similar to last year. It's pretty unacceptable at this point that Brown does not have more of a focused plan on the rotations to start the year. I get it, things change and there will need to be tweaks, but he needs a clear plan.

 

[macadocious]

The only main rotational issue I have had is that Keegan and Derozan are coming out at the same time. He has to stagger those two.

 

[Kingster]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1850355366888173787

This was my first boss out of college, guys and gals. Jim Goldstein of the Carlsberg Corp. What a character!

 

[Kingster]

The only main rotational issue I have had is that Keegan and Derozan are coming out at the same time. He has to stagger those two.

I like for Brown to pair those two because Keegan's outside 3-point shooting is essential to have on the floor with the 2-point heavy DDR.

 

[The_Jamal]

Lyles may also just need more time. Every player is different in terms of their ability to get back into a rhythm after being away for so long. Our bench (including Monk) can and will be a lot better. I’d like to see us come out super serious tonight and dominate this Portland squad.

Yeah, a big problem the Kings had last season was playing down to competition. Cost us a bunch of games and ultimately the playoffs. Losing vs a team like Minny and apparently now LAL aren't the end of the world if we play well,but we just have to dominate these sort of games. Beat up the bad teams, .500 vs the good teams is how you go get 50 wins

 

[SacTownKid]

The thing is the Kings and Brown are going to have to find out what this team actually is. Last year, the Kings searched for 3's because they had to, now the question might be whether or not even taking a 3 is a good look in most half court sets. The fact is replacing a consistent near 40% 3 point shooter with someone that realistically is going to hover at 35% and a bit below obviously means you might not be as good at shooting 3's... duh. Then you factor in Domas now being asked to take more and he's never been someone to launch from 3. Keegan is kind of finding a balance from 3, averages suggest he'll probably be someone that is in that high 30's range most nights. Monk is as streaky as they come so him picking up for your lack of 3 point shooting is a gamble night to night and honestly him as a spot shooter takes away a lot of what's made him the player he is now. The Kings simply don't have the defensive nor athletic tools, especially if Keon is at the end of the rotation, to launch and miss from 3 and then watch teams run it right back down their throats.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

The thing is the Kings and Brown are going to have to find out what this team actually is. Last year, the Kings searched for 3's because they had to, now the question might be whether or not even taking a 3 is a good look in most half court sets. The fact is replacing a consistent near 40% 3 point shooter with someone that realistically is going to hover at 35% and a bit below obviously means you might not be as good at shooting 3's... duh. Then you factor in Domas now being asked to take more and he's never been someone to launch from 3. Keegan is kind of finding a balance from 3, averages suggest he'll probably be someone that is in that high 30's range most nights. Monk is as streaky as they come so him picking up for your lack of 3 point shooting is a gamble night to night and honestly him as a spot shooter takes away a lot of what's made him the player he is now. The Kings simply don't have the defensive nor athletic tools, especially if Keon is at the end of the rotation, to launch and miss from 3 and then watch teams run it right back down their throats.

The first they need to do, is figure out a way to keep the opponent's shooting % down. If they can't do that, it's going to be really tough to accomplish anything meaningful, regardless of how many 3's they take

 

[SacTownKid]

The first they need to do, is figure out a way to keep the opponent's shooting % down. If they can't do that, it's going to be really tough to accomplish anything meaningful, regardless of how many 3's they take

And part of that is not taking bad 3's. The Kings are pretty good at getting back, but they still end up on their heels most plays with Kings players trying to find their spot. With Keegan being the only real defensively capable player individually in this current rotation, being in position defensively is crucial. If you are out of position passing lanes are going to be wide open. At some point even with Keon in the rotation and Carter back, this is still likely a team whose best defense is a good offense. And with DDR that probably means a more controlled offense where you get players in foul trouble, control clock, keep the score somewhere in a reasonable range rather than trying to put up 130 a night.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

And part of that is not taking bad 3's. The Kings are pretty good at getting back, but they still end up on their heels most plays with Kings players trying to find their spot. With Keegan being the only real defensively capable player individually in this current rotation, being in position defensively is crucial. If you are out of position passing lanes are going to be wide open. At some point even with Keon in the rotation and Carter back, this is still likely a team whose best defense is a good offense. And with DDR that probably means a more controlled offense where you get players in foul trouble, control clock, keep the score somewhere in a reasonable range rather than trying to put up 130 a night.

Here's another thought. Assuming they want to get Carter in play regularly when he comes back, is Keon then behind him in the rotation? There's definitely a log jam at the 2, with Huerter playing there as a starter, instead of a 3 off the bench

 

[206Fan]

Here's another thought. Assuming they want to get Carter in play regularly when he comes back, is Keon then behind him in the rotation? There's definitely a log jam at the 2, with Huerter playing there as a starter, instead of a 3 off the bench

...yet another reason why the Carter pick made no sense (unless they think he's Tyrese 2.0...)

Don't see how you can put Carter in front of Keon for SG minutes.

 

[The_Jamal]

...yet another reason why the Carter pick made no sense (unless they think he's Tyrese 2.0...)

Don't see how you can put Carter in front of Keon for SG minutes.

We'll see what happens tonight with the rotation, but we might not think super highly of Keon long-term (for god knows why). And either way, you draft for talent, you don't draft for need.

 

[joemama]

We'll see what happens tonight with the rotation, but we might not think super highly of Keon long-term (for god knows why). And either way, you draft for talent, you don't draft for need.

We NEED Ellis for Scoot and Simons tonight.

 

[The_Jamal]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1851056953981878380

Huh? There's room for 9-10 guys, but we're burning up our top 4 for 38+ a game? Jmac played 3 minutes, how is that emphasizing pace?

Just freaking play Keon 22-25 MPG and profit. It's that easy

 

[hrdboild]

...yet another reason why the Carter pick made no sense (unless they think he's Tyrese 2.0...)

Don't see how you can put Carter in front of Keon for SG minutes.

Ellis in the starting lineup and Carter off the bench at SG makes sense. Monk might as well be the backup PG anyway.

Part of the reason DeMar and Keegan are playing so many minutes right now (40+ each which is a Tom Thibodeau level work-load) is that we get torched when they sit. Lyles and McDermot are situational roleplayers, not guys you want to give significant minutes to.